Holy Land Pilgrimage 2023: Old City Jerusalem

September 25, 2023

We started the day at the Lion's Gate (St. Stephen's Gate). First we found our way to the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus cured a lame man when he complained that everyone beat him to the pool when the angel stirred the water. Next to the remains of these pools is the Church of St Anne, built by the Crusaders. It is said to be the birthplace of the Virgin Mary. Our tour group stopped into the Church of St Anne and sang a few Marian hymns. The acoustics were awesome.

Close by to the Church of St Anne is the Via Dolorosa through the Old City. We begin by having a Mass at the Church of Flagellation. This is another Church designed by Antonio Barluzzi. (1927). Worthy of note are the three windows which close the arches on which the vault of the sanctuary is placed. They show the flagellation of Christ, Pilate washing his hands, and the releasing of Barrabas.

Inside the Church of Flagellation.

This is the 2nd Station of the Cross. We continued the Stations through the Old City to the Church of the Sepulcher. On the way, we passed many interesting vendors of mideastern goods and spices.

Below you will scenes from the walk through the Old City of Jerusalem.

We entered the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. We waited in a cue to enter an inner chapel that was built over the tomb of Christ. Next we went to a higher level in the Church that was the site of the Crucifixion. We prostrate and reverence the medallion in the floor that marks the spot of the cross. Returning back to the main level of the Church we see the slab upon which the body of Christ was prepared for burial. We also saw Adam's grave. This is a crack in the rock just below the crucifixion that is believed to happen in an earth quake following the death of Christ. We left the Old City by way of the Damascus Gate.